I sat down with Elliot Miles, a former CF Resident who now serves as a missionary in St. John’s, Newfoundland, with Mile One Mission.
1. Tell us about yourself.
My journey began in New Orleans, Louisiana, where Hurricane Katrina profoundly shaped my life. This devastating event forced my family to seek refuge in Baton Rouge, marking my childhood and adolescence with constant transitions. In 2018, I moved to Dallas, Texas, to pursue theological studies at Dallas Baptist University. This time was not only about academic growth but also personal transformation as I served in a local church.
After graduating in 2022, I joined the Champion Forest Residency Program in Houston, Texas, focusing on Children’s Ministry. During this season, my passion for children’s ministry deepened as I gained valuable experience. I long to see children and families become disciples and fall in love with Jesus—this calling fuels me every day.
Earlier this year, the Lord led me to leave Houston and spend time in St. John’s, Newfoundland—the easternmost point of North America. I’ve now been here for about seven months, serving in ministry within a vastly different cultural context.
2. Tell us about the ministry you are serving with.
I am currently serving with an organization called Mile One Mission. I learned about this organization after seeing their pamphlet on one of my co-worker’s desks at North Kelin. I discovered that they were a church-planting organization based in St. John’s, Newfoundland. I had never heard of that place before, but the longer I read their pamphlet, the more my curiosity grew. For the past five years, their mission has been to plant churches throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, hoping that the Gospel will transform people’s lives. Now, they have planted four churches and hope to plant four new churches by the end of 2026.
With the guidance of Pastor John Willis, prayer, and wise counsel, I decided to move to St. John’s, Newfoundland, and to learn the complexities of church planting in a challenging environment where only one percent of the population are disciple-making Christians. Despite the difficulties, my passion for the Gospel fuels my involvement in children’s ministry, where I am learning to develop ministry from the ground up and establish discipleship patterns. My ultimate goal is to grow as a minister, deepen my love for the local church, and inspire others to fall in love with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am fully committed to this mission, and I am confident that we will make a significant impact by God’s grace.
3. Tell us about the area and community you are serving.
St. John’s, Newfoundland, is a city that brings to mind the story of Jonah. Like Jonah, it’s a city struggling in its relationship with God. But like Nineveh, it’s a city where repentance and salvation are available. It’s a city rich in Irish and Scottish roots, a unique place filled with opportunities for the Gospel to take root. The people here are known for their hospitality and vocal engagement in political discussions. It’s a challenging but rewarding place I’m beginning to call home, with its rich cultural tapestry adding a unique flavor to my ministry.
For the past couple of years, immigration to this region has brought many people from around the world, seeking jobs and studying at our local university. St. John’s has essentially become a melting pot of different cultures. I have the opportunity to serve and share the Gospel with people from various religious backgrounds and lifestyles.
It is also a city filled with religious history and trauma. For centuries, churches here did not steward the Gospel well, causing many people to fall away from the faith. Our hope as an organization is to reflect Christ and His Gospel, healing the wounds that are still visible today, such as the impact of past church abuses and the struggle to reconcile faith with the city’s diverse cultural influences.
4. How long have you been serving in this area?
I have been blessed to serve in St. John’s, Newfoundland, for the past seven months. God has shown me and my teammates his faithfulness in remarkable ways. We have seen God do some amazing things this year, from putting on a Christmas banquet and pageant to raising money for our Van Ministry. My faith has grown enormously by being up here. It is a sight to see how big God is and how powerful it is to depend entirely on the Lord. I am grateful to Champion Forest for allowing me to come here to learn and serve.
5. What has surprised you about serving in Newfoundland?
A couple of things. First, the weather here is unpredictable, and I experienced the joy of shoveling snow for the first time—it reached up to my knees. An actual winter storm taught me that God controls the seasons. Now, as the sun shines brightly, each night brings a deep sense of peace that words cannot express.
Secondly, I am inspired by the diverse community of people from different countries living here. I have met individuals from Brazil, Jamaica, Africa, and India, each carrying a unique story and reason for being here. This community thrives on storytelling, reminding us that being a good storyteller is essential to connection and understanding.
Lastly, the rich history here captivates me. The city where I live is named after John the Baptist from the Bible, serving as a testament to the remarkable stories that shape our world. The Newfoundland motto verse is also my favorite verse: Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
6. What is one of your greatest challenges so far?
My greatest challenge is contextualizing and practically living out my theology. I don’t mean to cheapen the Gospel; I believe that for Jesus to transform people, we must take risks and build relationships with them. Living in a different culture has taught me to unlearn certain things and to be open to saying, “I do not know.” It’s valuable to honor God with our theology and live it out daily.
It’s often easy to follow Jesus when circumstances are comfortable, but what happens when life gets complicated, and the challenges weigh on us? Is God still God in those moments? The challenge is to believe that God remains the same in Houston and St. John’s, Newfoundland. Even when I don’t see God working in people’s lives, I trust He is always at work. I’ve learned to participate in the work that God is doing, even when it’s hard to see.
7. What is one of the greatest joys of your ministry so far?
Working alongside remarkable men and women is one of my greatest joys. Witnessing their devotion to Jesus and their engagement in the church is truly inspiring. I’ve seen what it means to love God and His church. Learning from our church planters about their communities and the people they serve enriches my understanding of theology and ministry.
8. What are you learning?
I am gradually learning to fully embrace and enjoy my role in God’s work, recognizing that the heart of ministry lies in its connection with people. People are often messy; they bring their own struggles, stories, and complexities. Yet, as leaders in the ministry, we are called not just to observe from a distance but to dive into this beautiful mess and help carry the burdens of others. I am beginning to see my entire life as a ministry rather than merely a job; every moment and every interaction is an opportunity to honor the Lord. This perspective transforms how I navigate my daily existence, reminding me that everything I do belongs to Him.
Moreover, I am uncovering the profound value of humility and the essential nature of depending on God and my community. Trusting in God requires surrender and a willingness to bow at His feet and seek His guidance, which is not always easy. Nonetheless, I find it immensely rewarding to submit my life and its challenges to the one who deeply cares for me: God. The longer I immerse myself in the rich culture of Newfoundland, the more I realize how vital and transformative relationships are. Each connection I make deepens my understanding of love, support, and the shared journey of faith.
9. Are there any stories you would like/can share?
I would like to share an inspiring story about our college campus that has unfolded during my time here. Together with a dedicated group of peers, we committed ourselves to praying for our university and its diverse student body. In those early days, we found ourselves questioning whether our prayers were making any impact. Despite our uncertainties, we earnestly sought the Lord and remained steadfast in our faith.
As the weeks passed, we saw God’s hand at work in remarkable ways. Our prayers started to bear fruit as He opened opportunities for us to engage in heartfelt gospel conversations with students from various backgrounds. With every conversation, we felt a growing sense of purpose and belief that the Lord has a specific plan for this university. We pray that He will ignite a passion for Christ among the students and raise a vibrant community of followers of Jesus on campus.
I am truly grateful to be part of this journey and witness the transformative power of persistent prayers. Seeing how unwavering faith can lead to profound connections and a renewed sense of hope within our campus community has been a blessing.
10. Have you eaten any interesting foods?
I got to try fish and chips for the first time, and they were so good! St. John’s has this fantastic seafood culture; people here love codfish and salmon.
I also celebrated Thanksgiving in October last year, which was different. We had this excellent blueberry cobbler for dessert that tasted like heaven on a plate. Newfoundland is known for its blueberries; this dessert hit the spot. I also tried salt beef with turnips, which is common around here.
11. What is one encouragement or challenge you would like to share with Champion Forest?
I would love for Champion Forest to deepen its understanding of and partnership with Mile One Mission. I invite some of you to visit and immerse yourselves in the rich culture and warmth of the people here. This opportunity represents not just a collaboration but a meaningful journey to strengthen the global church and advance the kingdom of God in this unique and challenging setting.
I love seeing the local church work alongside courageous church planters, taking bold risks to share the Gospel. With our passion and your commitment, we can see evidence of the Gospel transforming people and making a difference in this city and province.
12. How can Champion Forest pray for you?
If you want to connect with me directly, my email address is elliot@mileonemission.ca. I recently sent out a newsletter and video documenting my time here. I ask for your prayers as I continue to remain faithful to the task at hand. Please pray for guidance and wisdom as I grow as a minister of the Gospel. Pray for me and my team as we strive to steward the Gospel well and proclaim Jesus in our sphere of influence. I hope to connect with many of you soon.
